BUSHPEX Crimp Gas

Benefits & Features

BUSHPEX CRIMP GAS FEATURES AND BENEFITS

  • Manufactured, distributed and supported by Elson.
  • 25 Year product Warranty when installed according to detailed
    requirements.
  • Product manufactured by Elson to relevant Australian Standards
    by our ISO 9001 approved manufacturing facility with all
    Certification by SAI Global.
  • BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping System is a cost effective
    alternative to other Gas systems.
  • BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping System is fast and easy to
    install.
  • BUSHPEX hand crimping tools can be used for both BUSHPEX
    Crimp-on Water PEX and BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping
    Systems.
  • Light weight – easy to handle & install.
  • Smooth inner core reduces pressure losses.
  • Low levels of thermal conductivity and expansion.
  • Strong impact resistance.
  • Comprehensive size range 16mm – 63mm diameter.
  • Double “O” ring is the internationally preferred system.
  • Long entry stainless steel crimp sleeve.
  • Double crimp seal.
  • Four easy to see witness holes to confirm full engagement of
    fitting onto pipe.
  • Yellow retaining ring signifies “Gas” and also locates Battery
    tool Jaws.
  • German manufactured Battery Tools available in two sizes.

Pipe & Fitting Protection and Care

Pipe & Fitting Protection and Care during Handling and Installation:

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL pipe and fittings must be protected from damage through all stages of the process from transport to storage and installation in accordance with AS/NZS 5601. Provision for pipe and fitting protection therefore includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Care must be taken to keep pipe free of grit, dirt, dust and foreign matter.
  • Care must be taken to ensure fittings are free of grit, dirt, dust and foreign matter and the yellow retainer is securely seated onto the fitting with the stainless steel crimp ring and dual “O” rings are seated correctly.
  • Pipe must be protected from physical damage including cuts, abrasion, dents, kinks, tears, holes, etc.
  • Pipe must be protected from long term or permanent U.V. exposure.
  • Pipe and fittings must be protected from excessive heat or burning, (refer to maximum operating temperature detailed in Pipe specification section), chemical / solvent attack, animal or rodent attack, machinery damage, other external threats, etc.
  • Chemical or corrosive environments.
    • Pipe needs to be protected.
    • Fittings must be wrapped and protected. This
      includes all underground installations for all fittings.
  • Pipe support and clipping; both vertically and horizontally to ensure conformance for vibration, excessive tension, torsion or compressive stresses on fittings and pipe. Refer to pipe specification Chart for spacing.
  • Pipe penetrations through timber and steel frames and concrete sections need to conform and may require protection using grommets, fire collars, sleeving or wrapping. Holes, notches and cutouts must be accurately drilled “in-line” to allow movement for any expansion
    or contraction of the pipe and fitting so engagements are not exposed to excessive stress. Refer to Pipe specification Chart for timber frame cut out limitations.
  • Pipe Expansion and contraction needs to be accommodated during installation to allow for movement due to thermal Linear expansion. Failure to do so may exceed torsional pullout allowances on fittings resulting in product failure. Refer to Pipe specification Chart for the Thermal Expansion co-efficient.
  • Pipe Bending; BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL pipe is flexible but requires care when bending to avoid kinks, cracks or other permanent deformation that may restrict flow or put undue pressure on joints. If the pipe is kinked, bent or damaged in any way it must be cut out and replaced. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas elbows are recommended for tight bends and larger pipe sizes above 32mm. Refer to the Pipe specification Chart for minimum bending radius and tools for bending.
  • Connecting Barbs; when soldering connecting barbs, (male or female) first remove/dismantle the yellow plastic retainer ring, stainless crimp ring and two “O” rings, then, solder the brass connecting barbs – allow
    to cool before assembly. When assembling the fitting, ensure the yellow plastic retainer ring, the two “O” rings and the stainless steel sleeve are installed correctly. (Refer to picture on Page 7 of this brochure for assembly detail). Alternatively, use elson PRESS Crimp-On fittings from copper to BUSHPEX Crimp Gas.

Pipe sizing tables

Handling & Installation

Underground Pipe installation:

Underground installation of BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX- AL Pipe must be in accordance with AS/NZS 5601. The following points should be noted and referenced for conformance to the standard:

  • Piping beneath a building and in the ground is allowed with NO joints.
  • Piping embedded in Concrete is allowed with NO joints, maximum pressure 70kPa.
  • Underground installation should include the provision for a Trace Wire and Marker Tape to be installed to assist in pipe detection.
  • Underground installation should comply with standard for quality of bedding and backfill.
  • Underground installation must comply with the required standards for minimum buried depth.
  • Underground Installation must comply with the required standard for termination to Metallic risers.
  • Underground Installation must comply with the required separation standard for Consumer Gas Piping.
  • BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Fittings must be wrapped and protected using suitable and verified processes for all in ground installations and corrosive environments.

Proprietary Gas System Identification:

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping system has an identification Tag as part of its Product Range and must be permanently attached adjacent to the gas meter or
LP Gas cylinder to identify the system installed on every installation as detailed in AS/NZS 5601. Do not attach this signage plate to any gas cylinder or other movable object.

Provision for Pipe Reversion:

As detailed in AS/NZS 5601, in certain installations in some building types it is mandatory for the installation of reversion fittings to allow for Proprietary Gas Piping systems like BUSHPEX Crimp Gas to be extended or additions made for future application. A Reversion Fitting allows for the connection of a Proprietary system to be adapted to a standard Thread or Copper tube.
The BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping system Product Range includes the three variants of Reversion fittings as detailed in the standard.

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Tools

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Tools are specifically designed to be used with the BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Pipe and Fittings System and must not be used with other systems. BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Tools are manufactured to precise specifications and require:

  • Care during operation and confirmation that each completed crimp joint is crimped correctly. The use of the BUSHPEX Crimp Gauge is required to confirm crimp conformance.
  • Regular maintenance and cleaning after use to avoid dirt, dust, grit or moisture damaging the tool.
  • Recognition of the jointing guide procedures and safety recommendations within this Manual and the Handbook Instructions of the approved BUSHPEX Crimp battery tool kit.

Specific and approved manual or battery drill BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Reaming / Calibrating tools are an essential requirement to round and deburr every squarely cut pipe end prior to insertion into the crimp fitting.

Use the BUSHPEX crimp gauge on each crimped joint to ensure the joint has been sufficiently crimped.

Jointing Instruction

System Testing & Certification

Pipe and joint system testing must be carried out in accordance with the standard AS/NZS 5601 and any other relevant and applicable local authority codes prior to burying or concealing the BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping system. It is the responsibility of the Licenced Installer to ensure that all joints and fittings are inspected, checked and tested for leaks to ensure safety and compliance. It is recommended to incorporate a checking procedure to ensure that each joint has been correctly crimped by testing every joint with a crimp gauge and marking as complete.

Warranty

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping System carries a 25
year warranty when the system is installed by a Licenced Gas Fitter in accordance with AS/NZS 5601 and any other relevant and applicable local authority codes which may take precedence and established installation practices.
The Licenced Gas Fitter must also have successfully completed the BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping System Induction and Training. The Installer must use the installation guidelines set out in this manual and the Induction Training. Installation must only ever involve the use of the same approved system of BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL pipe and fittings with licence SMKP 21859 and approved tooling.

Compliance with Australian Standards

BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping System is licensed by SAI Global to Australian Standards and complies with Australian Standards AS 4176 (Licence SMKP 21859).

FAQ’s

Do I need to “round and deburr” the pipe prior to every crimp joint?

YES - this is a requirement for every joint – ensure that the reaming/calibrating tool suits BUSHPEX Gas PEX-AL pipe

Do I need to check every crimp joint has been compressed properly?

YES - you should check every crimp joint has been compressed properly by testing with the crimp gauge

Do I need to inspect the crimp fitting prior to every crimp joint?

YES - you should visually inspect each fitting to ensure it is free of any dirt and grit, has both “O” rings intact, the stainless crimp sleeve is properly located and all parts are undamaged – clean/ replace/discard as required.

Do I need to inspect the pipe end prior to crimping?

YES, always inspect the pipe and ensure it is cut square, has been “rounded & deburred”, has no rough edges and the internal and external pipe is undamaged prior to crimping.

How can I tell if the pipe has been pushed into the fitting properly?

Inspect the fitting to ensure the pipe is visible through all 4 witness openings

If the battery Tool does not fully compress what should I do?
  • Release the trigger and jaws by actuating the retract slide
  • Recharge the battery or replace with charged battery
  • Crimp the joint a second time and check with the crimp gauge
  • Cut off the pipe and fitting if it fails to crimp properly
If the jaws of the Manual Tool do not align when closed what must I do?

Adjust the jaws and test until the jaws align and have no gap. Follow the process described in the section, “jointing procedures – Tool adjustment”

Is there a procedure to follow when soldering connecting barbs?

YES, ALWAYS:

  • Dismantle the fitting prior to heating and brazing
  • Allow to cool fully before assembly
  • Ensure the yellow plastic retainer rings, two “O” rings and
  • stainless steel sleeve are installed correctly – refer to picture assembly detail on page 9 of this brochure.
Is there anything I need to do before using a Manual crimp Tool?

YES – follow all of these important steps below:

  • Ensure that the tool is compatible with BUSHPEX GAS PEX-AL Pipe and BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Fittings
  • Ensure the tool is in good working order
  • Ensure that the jaws align and have no gap when closed
  • Ensure that the jaws are clean, free of defects and debris
  • Refer to the Jointing Procedure in this manual for correct method
Is there anything I need to do before using the approved battery crimp Tool?

YES – follow all of these important steps below:

  • Ensure that the tool and jaws are compatible with BUSHPEX
  • GAS PEX-AL Pipe and BUSHPEX Crimp Gas Fittings
  • Read and recognise the instructions contained in the manual • Ensure the correct jaws match the tool, the pipe and the fittings
  • Inspect the tool to ensure it functions properly
  • Inspect the jaws to ensure they’re clean, dry, free of dirt grit and corrosion
What are the requirements for installing the BUSHPEX Crimp Gas system?
  • Must only be installed by a licenced Gas Fitter
  • Must be installed in accordance with AS/NZS 5601
  • Must be installed using the BUSHPEX Crimp Gas PEX-AL Piping system procedures
  • Must be installed using BUSHPEX Gas PEX-AL pipe, BUSHPEX
  • Crimp Gas fittings and tools, licence SMKP 21859